Kettledrum.



lie- 835,173. v PATENTED NOV. 6, 1906.

G. H. AGNB.

KETTLEDRUM.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. e. 1905.

(7 M I f F II I t 2 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 6,1906.

Application filed December 6, 1905. Serial No. 290.522.

1'0 all whom it may concern-:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. AGNE, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Kettledrums, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference be ing had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in kettledrums; and the object is to provide simple and inexpensive means for speedily adjusting the drumhead by the manipulation of one handle screw or lever instead of numerous handle screws or levers, as has heretofore been the common practice.

While the essential and characteristic features of my invention are necessarily susceptible of modification, the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a plan view of a kettle drum embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 represents a fragmentary section of a modified form of the adjusting means, and Fig. 4 represents a similar section of another modification of the adjusting means.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawings, (t represents a musical instrument of the type known as kettledrums, consisting of a metallic body I), a drumhead c, secured to the ring (1, and a clamping-ring 6, provided with lugs f for the reception of the adjusting-screws 9, said adjusting-screws g engaging with lugs h, which are formed on the body b of the drum in any well-known manner.

The adjusting-screws heretofore employed on kettledrurns are all provided at their upper extremity with a thumb-nut or handle which projects a considerable distance above the adjusting-ring or drumhead, causing the operator much annoyance in manipulating the drumsticks. The construction as de scribed is objectionable, inasmuch as should the operator desire to adjust the drumhead he is compelled to adjust each and every one of the said adjusting-screws arranged on the drum. In the construction shown I dispense with the objectionable projecting means and provide on the adjusting-screw a spool 71, which can be formed integral with or separate from the adjusting-screw and which is designed to engage with a band or strap k of any suitable materialsuch as, for instance,-

leather, metal, or rubber. One of the adjusting-screws is provided with a square head, which has its upper end for the reception of a crank m, which is provided with a square opening to receive the square end of the adjusting-screw. The cylindrical surface of the spool i, formed on the adjustingscrew g, is roughened or knurled to prevent the strap or band it from slipping.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3 the spool 'L, which is secured to the adjustingscrew 9 in any well-known manner, is provided with a conical gripping-surface, which engages with a band the inner surface of which is inclined to conform to the incline on said spool.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4 a small wheel Z, provided with projections Z, is substituted for the spool. This small wheel Z is designed to engage with a metallic strap which is provided with a series of openings for the reception of the projections Z, which are formed on the small wheel Z.

I claim 1. In a device for adjusting kettledrumheads, the combination with the clampingring and the body of the drum, of a series of adjusting-screws secured to both said ring and body and means for simultaneously operating said screws to adjust the head to the proper degree of tension. 2. In a device for adjusting drumheads, the combination of the clamping-ring and drum-body, of a series of adjusting-screws secured to both said ring and body, a band in engagement with each of said adjustingscrews, and means in engagement with one of said screws for simultaneously rotating all of them, to adjust the said ring upon the body to produce the proper degree of tension in the head.

3. In a device for adjusting drumheads, the combination of the clamping-ring and the drum-body, of a series of apertured lugs rigidly secured to said ring, a series of screwthreaded lugs secured to the body, a series of headed screws passing through said ringlugs and screwed into said body-lugs, means in engagement with said screws for simultaneously adjusting the same to produce the proper tension in the head.

4. In a drumhead adjusting device, the combination of the clamping-ring and drumbody with a series of adjusting-screws conto adjust the tension of the drumhead.

6. In a drumhead adjusting device, the combination of a drum-body, aflesh-hoop in engagement with said drum-body, a drumhead secured to said flesh-hoop, a clamping- 15 ring provided with a series of lugs, a series of lugs secured to the drum-body, adjustingscrews connecting said lugs in pairs and means for simultaneously operating said screws, whereby the tension of the drumhead 20 may be regulated.

This specification signed and witnessed this 4th day of December, 1905.

CHARLES H. AGNE.

Witnesses:

LOUIS M. SANDERS, FREDK. C. FISCHER. 

